Subtitles by DramaFever
[The King's Woman]
[Episode 32]
Madam Min... What do you mean by that?
What I mean is that...
Madam Li has hindered too many of us.
If you wish to win back His Grace's trust
there is a way.
I can offer you my assistance.
However...
Master Li, you'd have to... take our side first.
Madam, what would you like me to do?
Tomorrow's Spring Hunt is our best opportunity.
Qing.
Have you seen my short sword?
Your short sword?
Don't you always carry it with you?
I left it next to my bed last night.
But it was gone when I woke up this morning.
Madam, maybe you dropped it when you got changed this morning?
Could someone have stolen it?
Stolen?
Who would be bold enough to steal your sword?
Madam, we'll attend the Spring Hunt first.
I'll look for it when we return.
Let's go.
The weather is mild and sunny.
It's such a good day to hunt.
Since I married into the palace
you've been the one to care for me the most.
But there are some things on my mind lately that I just can't figure out.
These glass beads are top quality jewelry in Chu State.
Only the royal family of Chu State could have them.
Lady Chu once gave Palace Woman Han one of these.
It's such a coincidence that the glass bottle containing the poison
that killed Mister Han Fei was also adorned with these glass beads.
Why is that hard to figure out?
The glass beads on that bottle weren't Palace Woman Han's.
They were the ones Lady Chu gave to you.
Am I right?
When you first married into the palace
Lady Chu wanted to win you over so she gave you a string of glass beads.
I caught a whiff of white sandalwood on Palace Woman Han.
Madam, what is it?
Do you have the habit of burning incense in your room?
Burning incense?
Incense is expensive.
That's an elegant hobby of highly ranked Madams.
How would a Palace Woman do so?
A seventh-rank Palace Woman couldn't possibly have such expensive incense.
Among the Madams, Sister Min burns white sandalwood incense most often.
So when I caught a whiff of it on Palace Woman Han, I thought of you.
Or should I say that while Palace Woman Han appeared to serve Lady Chu
she actually worked under you.
That was Lady Chu's work.
Both the witness, and the evidence prove it.
How could I be accused of it?
Lady Chu did make Palace Woman Han frame Han Fei with the fake latter.
Her motive was to get rid of Han Fei for Junior Court Officer.
Junior Court Officer repaid her by getting an assassin to abduct
and attempt to kill me outside the palace.
But Junior Court Officer and Han Fei were classmates, after all.
He couldn't possibly be ruthless enough to kill him.
It was you who killed him, by using another's hands, Madam Min.
You found out about Lady Chu's plan to poison Lord Changping.
So you had the poison swapped and gave it to Master Han Fei.
You even adorned the bottle with Chu State's glass beads.
All to frame Lady Chu.
Can you prove that it was me with just your claims?
Indeed.
This is just my speculation.
But my only evidence is your mind.
Madam Min always seems aloof of political affairs.
But you're actually the most deeply engaged in such matters.
You only came to Qin State to assist Prince Jia to the throne.
But deep down, your real motive is to get back at King of Zhao.
Because King Qian of Zhao abandoned you.
None of that happened.
Where did you hear all that from?
Sister Min, you can deny everything I just said.
But you can't deny your relationship with the King of Zhao.
Empress Dowager told me everything.
I chose to share my thoughts when we are alone
instead of reporting it to His Grace because I want to help you.
Madam Min, why did you marry into Qin?
You intend to assist Prince Jia in reclaiming his throne, don't you?
I don't need your help.
Gongsun Li, you're too smart.
If only you used that intelligence to act appropriately with the times
I wouldn't have to deal with you.
You've meddled around too much.
It's best I get rid of you once and for all.
When did you steal my sword?
Guards?
Help!
Madam Min!
- Madam! - You're hurt?
What is going on?
Your Grace...
It's her...
She was going to kill me.
I didn't.
Your Grace, I didn't!
I really didn't!
- Greetings, Your Grace. - Greetings, Your Grace.
Madam, you're injured.
Don't bother with formalities.
Thank you, Your Grace.
Imperial Physician, how is Madam Min?
Your Grace, it is a flesh wound, but the tendons and bones aren't hurt.
It's not too severe.
I'll prescribe some medication to be taken, as well as applied externally.
After a few days of recuperation, Madam will fully recover.
All right, you are dismissed.
Yes, Your Grace.
Madam Li...
This is your short sword, right?
Yes, Your Grace. It's mine.
Madam Li used that sword to hurt me.
Your Grace, I didn't hurt anyone with that sword.
Then why was the sword in the carriage?
Your Grace, someone clearly stole Madam's sword.
We couldn't find it this morning.
You have always carried this short sword on you.
Tell me. Who else could've taken this sword?
Your Grace, all I can tell you is that
I've never thought of stabbing Madam Min with that sword.
If it wasn't you, then did Min Dai stab herself with it?
Madam Min!
I've never been trained in martial arts.
I'm scared at the sight of blood.
How could I possibly stab myself with Madam Li's sword?
Madam Min!
You know that I'm telling the truth.
If you insist on deceiving His Grace, I can only tell him the truth.
Your Grace, the true culprit who killed Mister Han Fei
is actually Madam Min.
Lady Chu did prepare the poison.
But she wasn't trying to target Mister Han Fei.
Madam Min had the poison sent to the prison cell.
To frame Palace Woman Han and Lady Chu for it
she adorned the bottle with Chu State's glass beads.
In order to silence the witness...
She even had Palace Woman Han killed.
As for Lady Jing, Madam Min also had her killed.
In order to cast more suspicion on Lady Chu
she used hellebore to poison Lady Jing.
She knew Lady Chu would be suspected since she had made Lady Jing miscarry.
What an exaggerated tale.
Madam Li, the day Lady Jing passed away from sudden death
I was chatting with you in your quarters.
How can you say that I had poisoned her?
I asked the imperial physician.
Both Mister Han Fei and Lady Jing were poisoned with hellebore.
But their poisoning varied in severity.
Madam Min, you bribed Lady Jing's maid
to add a bit of hellebore to her daily meals.
As the poison accumulated over time, Lady Jing couldn't handle it.
Naturally, she died a sudden death.
Since the poison acted slowly over time.
Naturally, no one suspected you of it.
For your own interests, you killed Lady Jing and Palace Woman Han.
You're the only one who could have killed with others' hands.
Sister Li, you have no evidence to prove any of this.
What have I got to do with Han Fei and Palace Woman Han's deaths?
Don't make unfounded accusations to cover up your own crime
and make me take the blame for everything!
I may not have the evidence to prove you did it
but everyone by Madam Min's side is from Zhao State.
They all follow the orders of Prince Jia of Zhao.
Of course they won't betray Madam Min.
Moreover, even if His Grace suspects you
both Lady Jing and Palace Woman Han are dead.
What more can His Grace do?
Min Dai, I don't understand.
You said that Madam Li is trying to cover up her own crime. What is it?
Your Grace, Madam Li tried to silence me this time
because I was going to expose her.
Your Grace!
You mustn't believe Madam Min's lies!
Madam Li was the one who helped Crown Prince Dan leave Qin State!
Your Grace!
Madam Li's abduction was a part of Crown Prince Dan's plan to leave Qin!
Xiao Li, why don't you do the talking?
Your Grace, Madam Min was concerned that Madam Li might betray Qin State
so she had me monitor Madam Li discreetly.
What we're facing isn't some wild lynx or boar.
But the ruthless Tiger Valor Army.
Since you've made up your mind
there's no turning back now.
Who is it?
Xiao Li, how can you do this to Madam Li?
Madam Li plotted the entire scheme to assist Crown Prince Dan of Yan escape.
Even the assassin who barged into the Crown Prince's manor was her senior.
You--
Your Grace, Xiao Li is telling the truth.
She once made an oath to me that is she ever lies
she'd willingly be thrown into the Lateral Courts.
Sister Li, it's fine if you don't admit to what I said.
What matters is whether or not His Grace still believes you.
Junior Court Officer seeks an audience!
What is he doing here?
I invited him over.
Master Li is here to prove that what I said is true.
Send him in!
Li Si greets Your Grace!
Get up and quickly tell me!
I'm running out of patience.
Your Grace, Madam Li was taken out of the palace
because of my momentary foolishness.
I only resorted to such means as I was beguiled by Lady Chu.
But I only did so because I suspected that
Madam Li harbors bad intentions toward Great Qin.
What do you mean?
I don't want to listen to your excuses.
You're to take responsibility for what you did.
Explain this to me.
How is it that Madam Li harbors bad intentions toward Great Qin?
I'm terrified to say it.
I saw how Your Grace favored Madam Li more and more over time
but she is from the subjugated Wey State.
Her entire family was killed by the army of Qin State.
She once fought against Qin State.
So I couldn't help but to worry
that Madam Li stayed by Your Grace's side because of an ulterior motive.
It is indeed so!
When Madam Li was abducted from the palace
it wasn't just Guard Han Shen who saved her, but also a second senior.
He was the one who actually rescued her.
He was also the one who rescued Yan Dan!
I also heard that before Madam Li married into the palace
she and her second senior were childhood sweethearts.
Their relationship is more than meets the eye.
Your Grace, I'm telling the truth!
I wouldn't lie to Your Grace.
Don't you dare forget.
I allowed you to give birth to this bastard.
He's not a bastard.
He's Senior Jing's and my--
Perhaps it was too dark then.
I didn't even recognize him.
Moreover, after Madam Li was rescued by her second senior
she only returned to the palace a day later.
A man and a woman were out in the wilderness for a whole day...
Who knows if they rekindled their love--
Junior Court Officer!
Don't make such unfounded accusations that have nothing to do with the case!
Madam Li, if you weren't guilty
why would you get so worked up?
Everyone except Madam Li...
get out.
Get out!
Stand up.
Look at me.
What they just said...
Is it true?
Speak!
If you won't speak
I'll execute all the people in the Crown Prince's Yan State manor!
It's true.
That remarkably skilled fighter...
The one who rescued Yan Dan...
That was your Senior Jing, right?
Yes.
You knew he was going to be there...
That's why you helped him.
No.
I just wanted to help Crown Prince Dan return to his home.
I didn't want him to live out his life here, in compromise.
Your Grace didn't wish for him to live out his life in Qin State either.
It's just that Your Grace couldn't take a step back to release a hostage prince.
If Your Grace wishes to punish me..
I'm willing to accept it.
Rescuing Yan Dan from Qin State was just an excuse.
You just wanted to see him.
You just wanted to be with him.
You even plotted to have him hold you hostage.
Han Shen knew of it as well.
The hostage situation...
It was just so that Crown Prince Dan could leave his room.
Your Grace...
I know that I lied to you.
But I plotted all of it alone.
It has nothing to do with the others.
I was so worried about you then...
Yet you colluded with him to make a fool out of me.
I'm very sorry about it...
On one hand, you rescued Yan Dan from Qin State...
And on the other hand, you put on a false display of affection.
Is that how sorry you are?
It wasn't like that.
Stop lying to me!
You're still in love with that man, aren't you?
That senior you think of every night and day?
Since then, and to this day...
You have never once loved me.
You deceived me for your own interests.
You met up with your Senior Jing out there in the wilderness.
You must have renewed your affection for him?
It not like that...
I really just wanted to help Crown Prince Dan return home.
My feelings for you are real.
It really isn't what you think--
That's enough!
I'll never believe you again.
I'm sorry...
- Get lost. - I'm sorry...
- Get lost! - I'm sorry.
I'm sorry...
I'm sorry!
I'm sorry...
- Li Zhong! - Present!
Throw Madam Li into the Lateral Courts to await further conviction!
The Lateral Courts?
What do you not understand?
Yes! I'll get it done right away.
Imprison all of Crown Prince Dan's household staff!
Yes!
Sir, what is this about?
We're about to set out to Ji City.
I'm afraid you won't be able to.
Guards! Have them all arrested!
[Handan City, Zhao State] Senior Han, we're alone here.
Be honest with me.
Are you actually here... on King of Qin's orders
to capture Crown Prince Dan of Yan?
Junior Jing, I'm really not here for Crown Prince Dan of Yan.
I have already told Mister Tian Guang about my task.
I'm sorry. It's best if this matter isn't made known to too many people.
All right.
I believe you.
Perhaps, now that Junior Li and I are in the palace of Qin...
you think that we work for King of Qin.
I have no opinion about what you think of us.
But here's what you need to know.
All these years in the palace, Li hasn't changed.
She is still the Li who would help uphold justice
and assist the weak without hesitation.
However hard I tried to talk her out of helping Crown Prince Dan
she still got involved anyway.
Your Highness, even if Han Shen is here for a different purpose
isn't it a strange coincidence that he came to Handan City?
If he was sent here by the king of Qin to inquire about your whereabouts
aren't we all just being fooled by him?
General Fan.
Young Warrior Han greatly helped in the Crown Prince's escape from Qin.
If he hadn't made Young Warrior Jing injure him on purpose
we might not have even made it out of Hangu Pass.
Han Shen did help us greatly.
I'm willing to trust that Guard Han bears no malice in coming here.
General Fan, don't be so sensitive.
Junior Li knows you mastered the swordsmanship Mentor left behind.
She is truly happy for you.
I am no warrior.
I've become a ruthless assassin instead.
Is it something to be happy about?
I understand now why Mentor sealed
the Swan Swordsmanship manual in a cave instead of handing it to us.
In such chaotic times, we all have to make sacrifices.
Junior Li did.
You did.
I'm no exception either.
Let's go!
Has Ying Zheng found us?
Your Highness, fret not.
Just leave it to Young Warrior Jing.
It's best for us to not act rashly.
This happens after Han Shen gets here.
Something is fishy about him.
General Fan, don't jump to conclusions.
We have to first figure out who those attackers are.
Let's go!
Madam!
Sir, I'm begging you!
Please don't hit Madam!
Just hit me instead!
I'm willing to be punished in Madam's stead!
Sir!
Stop.
Madam Li...
Who knew I'd be seeing you here?
Don't you worry.
The humiliation you brought upon me...
I'll make you pay for it two-fold!
Speak.
Why did you help Crown Prince Dan leave Qin?
Did you secretly negotiate some deal with Yan State
to harm Great Qin?
No deal was negotiated.
I'm the Qin King's concubine.
I know what I should and shouldn't do.
Junior Court Officer.
I acted alone in helping Crown Prince Dan of Yan.
The others were not involved.
Is that so?
You really are so naïve and kind.
Crown Prince Dan is the crown prince of Yan State.
By setting him free, you would surely stir up chaos.
Weren't you aware of that?
In such circumstances, you still dare to defend yourself?
Fine then.
It seems that I have to let you suffer a bit more.
Let's see if you'll be willing to talk then.
Continue!
Yes!
Master Li!
Madam!
Madam...
Madam!
Stop.
Madam...
Madam, you really are so headstrong.
You didn't even make a sound.
If Junior Court Officer... if you're even half as talented as Han Fei
you wouldn't have to torment an insignificant concubine
here in the dark Lateral Courts.
A scheming villain like you...
All you can do is to bully others with your authority.
How dare you!
How dare you make fun of me?
You helped a traitor escape from Qin.
It's a crime of treason!
Today, you disregarded the prestige of our king!
You spoke impetuously and insulted me!
Fine!
Continue! Keep whipping her!
- Yes! - Master Li!
The harder, the better!
Master Li!
Please! I beg you to whip me instead!
Why hasn't Young Warrior Jing returned yet?
I'll go and take a look.
Who is it?
Who are you?
Why are you looking for me?
He who comes bears no good will, none who bear good will come.
Yet today, here I come with the kind intent to do good.
As if!
What kind intent is this?
You restrained my friend right away.
It's obvious the Qin King sent you!
Crown Prince.
Yan State is situated in a remote area, and it's very cold there.
Hence, it's hard for your nation to prosper and become abundant in resources.
I'm concerned that Crown Prince might suffer back in Yan State
so I've come to bring Your Highness back to Qin State to enjoy a good life.
All of you are just assassins sent by King of Qin!
Your Highness, don't be frightened.
In Qin State, it's warm in the winter, and cool in the summer.
It's abundant with natural resources.
I can ensure you that you'll enjoy the rest of your life in ease.
- Greetings, Your Grace! - Greetings, Your Grace!
Don't hit her! Master Li, please stop hitting Madam!
The king has arrived!
Greetings, Your Grace!
Greetings, Your Grace.
How is the investigation going?
Your Grace, the traitor is despicable and stubborn.
She still refuses to admit that she assisted Crown Prince Dan
because of her dealings with the royal family of Yan State.
- Keep interrogating her. - Yes!
Hand it to me.
Master Li!
Please stop it!
- Master Li! - Speak!
Master Li!
Did you plan the escape of Crown Prince Dan alone?
What benefits did he promise you?
Confess it all!
I already told you.
He didn't offer me anything in return.
I did so willingly.
How I wish I could kill you now.
You've never been my king.
I don't want anything you have to give.
Even if you can keep me by your side...
You will never have my heart.
They set this up.
They lured us away!
Mister Tian?
Mister Tian Guang?
Mister Tian Guang!
General Fan!
General Fan, wake up quickly!
Young Warrior Jing?
Where is His Highness?
His Highness was abducted by a nagging old man.
It really was you!
You brought those villains here to His Highness!
General Fan, calm down.
I checked Mister Tian Guang's condition.
It's just a surge to his heart, so he'll be fine.
Let's take him back to his room to get some rest.
We'll discuss how to rescue His Highness.
The king has arrived!
Greetings, Your Grace.
Madam, you're still injured. Don't bother with formalities.
Thank you, Your Grace.
How do you feel today?
Are you feeling better?
Thank you for your concern, Your Grace.
I'm fine now.
But I'm still worried about Madam Li who is imprisoned in the Lateral Courts.
The torture tactics of Great Qin have always been severe.
How can Sister Li possibly withstand such torment?
Madam Li has injured you...
Yet you still speak up for her?
I never thought she would do something like this.
Sister Li was born to a warrior's family.
She was born with a righteous nature.
Not to mention that Crown Prince Dan even recruited her senior for his escape.
How could she not do anything to help?
Don't mention her.
Speaking of Yan Dan, do you think I should let him return to Ji City
or send my troops after him to set the record straight?
I think that Your Grace should put this off for a while.
Yan State has long been weak.
King of Yan is foolish and immoral.
Even if Crown Prince Dan returns to Ji City
he may not be of much influence.
If Your Grace were to send troops after Crown Prince Dan now
it would surely end with casualties on both sides.
People would accuse Your Grace of being tyrannical and ruthless.
Since Great Qin intends to unify all the states
it's also necessary to win over the people.
Madam, you have a point.
However..
Battle hasn't gone well these days.
I'm quite vexed by it.
Since conquering Zhao State isn't going too well
I think it would be good to take Han State and Wei State first.
Both states are weak and poor.
They can easily be conquered by Great Qin.
It's not hard to defeat them.
A victorious battle would surely boost the morale of the army.
Once the soldiers are well recuperated
it's wouldn't be too late to attack the north then.
If I were to withdraw my troops from Zhao State...
would you be happy about it?
[Preview]
Lady Chu!
Madam!
You wench.
You won't behave unless I teach you a lesson today.
Guards?
Shave off their hair!
Yes!
When Yan Dan was held hostage in Qin, he was like a brother to Your Grace.
The royal tutor, servants, and women in the Crown Prince's manor
are all innocent people who aren't involved in politics.
Great Yan is by no means related to Madam Li in any way.
Yet Madam Li risked her life again and again to save us.
Our entire household and I do not know how to repay Madam Li's kindness!
We can only bow to you in gratitude here!
- Thank you, Madam! - Thank you, Madam!
I thank Madam for saving Great Yan's Crown Prince!
Don't... Please get up quickly.
Please get up quickly.
Yan Dan is Great Qin's hostage prince.
He's living proof of the friendship between Qin State and Yan State.
I decide whether or not he has betrayed Qin!
Should anything happen to Yan Dan before he arrives in Ji City
I'll hold you responsible!
[A change of plan. Leave Dan, return swiftly.]
Master Li ordered us to retreat.
What?
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